Paperboard armchair



Sept. 15, 1959 Filed Oct. 25, 1956 T. M. HOLDEN 2,904,105

PAPERBOARD ARMCHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 as =s 4.9 INVENTOR Thomas M. Holden ATTORNEYS Sept. 15, 1959 T. M. HOLDEN 2,904,105

PAPERBOARD ARMCHAIR Filed Oct. 25, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IINVENTOR Thomas M. Holden ATTORNEYS Sept. 15, 1959 T. M. HOLDEN PAPERBOARD ARMCHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 25, 1956 INVENTOR Thomas M. Holden ATTORNEYS United States Patent PAPERBOARD ARMCHAIR Thomas M. Holden, Dallas, Tex., assignor to Fleming 8: Sons, Inc., Dallas, Tex.', a corporation of Texas Application October 25, 1956, Serial No. 618,375

3 Claims. (Cl. 155-191) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in paperboard armchairs.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved economical, light-weight armchair which is adapted to be constructed of paperboard, such as corrugated paperboard, solid fiberboard, other suitable stiff sheet material or combinations thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved paperboard armchair of durable, rugged construction which is capable of withstanding hard wear and which has a pleasing appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved paperboard armchair which is so constructed and assembled that its exterior panels may be printed with decorative designs or patterns and adjacent panels may be readily matched or contrasted therewith.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved paperboard armchair which is adapted to be constructed of a minimum number of parts and which has a limited number of exposed joints whereby the appearance of the chair is enhanced and said armchairhas no unfinished edges which are likely to damage the clothing or injure a person using or bumping against said armchair.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved paperboard armchair, of the character described, wherein adjacent panels including the arm panels as well as the back and seat panels are made integral whereby the. joints therebetween are smooth and finished and do not expose rough or unfinished edges Which are apt to tear clothing or cut the limbs of the user. i

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention. I The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a paperboard armchair constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view of the armchair, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing the armchair disassembled with the top section removed,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the armchair partially disassembled,

Fig. 6 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 66 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the main reinforcing members,

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of one of the transverse reinforcing members, and

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view prior to engagement of the outer bottom panels.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an armchair constructed of paperboard, such as corrugated paperboard, solid fiberboard or other suitable stiff, sheet material, and

2,904,105. Patented Sept. 15, 1959 v 2 includes a front section 11, a rear section 12, a pair of arm or side sections 13 and a combination back and seat or top section 14 which coact to provide the casing or A exterior of the armchair. A plurality of angular or substantially L-shaped reinforcing members or partitions 15 are provided for supporting and reinforcing the sections of the armchair and are adapted to coact with a plurality of transverse brace elements or reinforcing members16. Preferably, there are four each of the reinforcing members. It is pointed out that the reinforcing members 15 and 16 may be formed of one type of material, such as corrugated paperboard, and the front, rear, side and combination sections of solid fiberboard are a diflferent type of material.

The construction of each reinforcing member 15 is most clearly shown in Fig. 7 and includes a lower, transverse seat portion 17 and an upstanding back portion 18. In order to provide an inclined seat for the armchair, the seat portion 17 has a rearwardly and downwardly inclined upper margin 19 and the back portion 18 has forwardly and downwardly inclined front and rear margins 20. A plurality of parallel, spaced notches or slots 21 extend upwardly from the lower margin of the seat portion for engagement by the brace elements 16. This lower margin has a relatively short notch or slot 22 formed medially thereof for coacting with the front and rear sections 11 and 12, while a similar slot or notch '23 is provided in the rear margin 20 of the back portion 18, adjacent its upper end, of each inner reinforcing member (Fig. 4) for coacting with the rear and top sections 12 and 14.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 8, each brace element 16 has a plurality of notches or slots 24 extending downwardly from its upper margin for receiving the seat portion 17 of each reinforcing member 15 whereby the slots 21 and 24 coact to permit interlocking or nesting of the reinforcing members and brace elements (Figs. 26). It is noted that the upper margins of the brace elements 16 are disposed in substantially the same plane as the upper I margins 19 of the seat portions 17 and vary in height in accordance with the inclination of said margins 19. The rearmost brace element extends between and reinforces the rear portions of the reinforcing members and their back portions 18, being approximately the same height as the front brace element. A notch or slot 25 is formed medially of the lower margin of each brace element 16 for coacting with the side sections 13. In order to provide arm reinforcements, each brace element has an upstanding arm or extension 26 at each end.

The front section 11 includes a rectangular bottom panel 27 adapted to underlie the interlocked reinforcing members 15 and brace elements 16 and having a rec tangular front panel 28 hinged to its front margin and extending in overlying relation to the front ends of said reinforcing members in parallel relation to said brace elements. A flap 29 is hinged to the rear margin of the bottom panel 27 for engagement in the notches 22 of the reinforcing members and said panel and flap have a medial slot 30 which is adapted to be alined with the notches 25 of the brace for coacting with the side sec tions 13 (Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 9). The front panel 28 has a plurality of alined, spaced slots 31 extending transversely in adjacent, parallel relation to its upper margin for coacting with the combination section 14 (Figs. 2 and 5). For coacting with the arms 26 of the brace elements,

"elements" 16 and having a similar flap 36 hinged to its front margin for engagement in the notches 22 of said reinforcing members. A s lot 37 extends medially of the pymal a t 1a .fw fi msnt w th th a he 2 with fires d seen .3 l (Fi -T 3 marsiap 1 p.bq qmpa e has a e a eula .5 1i'b. a e .38. .hmsss t an? lf 9 th ha k Ran -9 1 relnfo mg members. i Boaeonnecting the upper peg e' rear 1 995.129

isl i a sdt sa an an a .a' ai hq h 40t nes n Q i tsr os s n en geme w inane i s o has o th ba k Pane and tha .slqngat insedpto hs ad pqr sns' i pa br ying' the upper ends of the arms 2tiiofithe brace sls t sm r a the. manne a t eflaps fifl' i Each arm or side section 13 includes an outer panel A .harinsfl r .32 m 4 n t r n and r ma nnection with the lateral margins, of the front and ve l es e Outer m a s he b a e em n s aedth ir arm a i fr p 43 s ur to the arm ,32 of thefront panel. A narrow top panel 46 is j hinged .to the upper margin of the side panel for over:

lying the upper ends of the arms 26 and with the flaps 34j 41 interposed therebetween. "For overlying the inner margins. of the arms, an inner panel 47 is hinged to the top panel'46 and is adapted to engage in the end slots 24 of the brace elements between said arms and the v outer reinforcing members :(Figs. 3 and 6-). A bottom panel 4 8 is hinged to the'lower margin of the outer panel '42 and has a flap 49 on its outer end-for engagement in the notches 25 of thefbra ce elements 16 and the alined slots 30, and-37 of the panels 27 and 35 and their flaps 1 29am 36, whereby-said panels 48 underlie said bottom panels 27 and 35. Due to the overlapping bottom panels,

it is manifest that the armchair has a two-ply or double bo om The combination back'and seat or top section14 in: v cludes a rectangular seat panel 50 adapted to overlie the 7 upper margins -19 of the seat portions 17 of the reinforcing members 15 as well as the brace elements 16 (-Fig. 2)

Anarrow, end or front panel 51 is hinged to the 'front margin of the seat panel 50 and has a plurality of tabs '52 for engagement in the slots 31 of the front panel 28,

of the front section 11. For overlying thefront margins u-20-of the back portions 18, a back panel 53 is hinged to the rear margin of the seat panel and has a top panel 54 hingedly connectingits upper end to a rear panel 55. A flap 56, similar to the fiap 39 of the back panel 38 of therear section 12 and having similar notches, is hinged is" the; lower margin of the rear panel 55 for engagement with'the slots 23 of the inner reinforcing members whereby said rear panel overlies the rear margins of the back portions of said members and the toppanel54 over lies tbeupper ends of said back portions. T-heback panel 53-hascoextensive side panels 57 hinged to its lateral ma-rgins for overlying the outer reinforcing members and It is importantito construct the archair of a'minimum number of parts for economy of manufacture as well as to-facilitate assembly. Although one of the side sections w 1-3cofu1dbemade integral with .thefront section filand the. other sidesintegral with the rear. section 12, most existing-machines do not have the capacity to cut and 4, nahsl s ns 3 sta l ti ch g pfr ether suie fable means 45 The side panel42is coextensive-with 2.3. of me ba k hotnes .Q th n si a at 11 b r Iti anemone flan? t r ina shalt .o e

score blanks of the required size. Therefore, the sections have been shown as being formed separately.

In assembling the armchair, the front, rear and side sections 11, 12 and 13 are connected by means of the flaps 43 and 44 and their staples 45. Then, the bottom panels 27 and 35 are folded inwardly with their flaps 29 and 36 contiguous for engagement with the notches 22 of the reinforcing members 15. Next, the bottom panels 48 are folded inwardly f or over ly ing the panels 27 and 35 for engagement of their fiaps'49' with the notches of the br'ace'elements 16 and-the alinedtslots :3.0'.and 37 .ofsaid panels 27 and 35 and their-flaps *29 and '36. Prior to sertion vth .h -ase e me t t e in zrei f s members are interlocked or nested therewith by interengagement of the notches 21 and 24. The flaps 33, 34 and 41 of the front and back panels 28 and 38 are folded inwardly so as to overlie the arms 26 of the brace elements, and the inner panels 47 are engaged in the end notches :24 .of the braceelemen-ts .wherebythe. panels 46 and 47 overlie said flaps as .wellas said. arms. NeX

. the outer..reinforcing members are inserted, and their notches 2 lrengaged .with the .end notches 24 of the brace elements so .as .;to1overlie.the lower margins ,of ,lthe inner panels 47. i The flapss39 and-56,are engaged with the notches 23 of the inner reinforcing members, with the -:.fiaps 58 and ;59 being .tucked between the outerreinforcwing member andthepanels 54 and .55. Upon swinging the panels .50 and 53ofthe combination back and seat section 14 forwardly and downwardly from the position shown .in Fig. 5, .the side panels 57 are engaged between .theouter reinforcing members .andpanels -47 and said ..panels 50and 53 overlie .the top and front margins :19 and :20 ofv said members. Assembly of the armchair is completed by tucking thetabs .52inthe .slots .31 of the front panel .28 wherehysthe .end panel .551 oyerliesthe upper margin of said panel :28.

; It. is pointed .out .thatsealingtape may be use in ..place of .the' stitchingor staples ,45. .With this arrangement, .the.front,.side and .rearsections have only four -.par.ts.ormay .he termed. from four'blanlts. .Only thelat- :boundv or concealed :by .suitablemeans, such .as sealing tape. ..Smooth finished jointsare. provided between the 1 front and .end panels '28and151, between the seat, back and side panels 50, 53 and 57,.and between the Panels 1 42,46 and 47. .Duetothe provision .o the sid Panels '57 and its flaps 58 and 52, the back Portion ofthe chair has no unfinished edges subject to contact withthe cl oth ingor :bodyof theperson using the arm ha r- Although-the armchair may be cov re W a pcover .(not shown-) in the ,usual manner, its construction and the relationship of its panels makes it possible to use .said armchair withoutanauxiliary cover. The panels may be printed. with decorative designs or patterns in forderto match, con-trastor harmonize with one another.

Also, any one of the panels may match, contrast or harmonize with seat and/or backcushions O c it is contemplated that the panels ,of the sections would ,bedecoratedprior .to..cutting and. sco ing S0 .as to reduce the cost of manufacture. .Ltis noted that .the armchair is adapted tobe constructed of only five exterior parts and eight interior I parts. As shownlimFig. 4, the .chair is readily assembled and disassembled and the various 'parts of. said chair .coacttoholdone another in position. For example, the

.flaps 3 3.. of the front panel 28 in position.

held .in. place .by the. overlying inner panels 47. 7.5

outer bottom panels 48 overlie and hold the-bottom panels :27 .and 35 imposition andtheinner panels 47 are confined by the panels 50 and 53 and overlie and hold the Also, the lower portions of the side panels 57 are concealed and It is noted the flaps 39 and 56 ,coact to reinforce and maintain the back portions 18 of the reinforcing members 15 in spaced relationship. Manifestly, the armchair is of sturdy, durable construction and is capable of withstanding reasonable abuse, as well as hard wear. Due to its simplicity of construction and ease of assembly, the chair is adapted to be shipped and sold in a knocked down condition for erection by the purchaser.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An armchair constructed of stiff sheet material including upright angular reinforcing members having back and seat portions, upright brace elements trans versely intersecting and holding the reinforcing members in spaced relationship, an upright front panel overlying the front margins of the seat portions of said reinforcing members, integral upstanding extensions at the ends of the brace elements and front panel, side sections having integral upright inner, upright outer and top panels overlying the inner, outer and top margins of the end extensions and coacting with said extensions to provide arms disposed laterally outward of said back and seat portions of said members, and integral seat and back panels respectively overlying and coextensive with said seat portions and the front margins of said back portions of said members.

2. An armchair constructed of stilf sheet material including upright angular reinforcing members having back and seat portions, upright brace elements transversely intersecting and holding the reinforcing members in spaced relationship, a front section having an upright front panel overlying the front margins of the seat portions of said reinforcing members, the brace elements and front panel having upstanding end extensions disposed externally of said members, side sections having upright inner and outer panels connected by an integral top panel and overlying the inner, outer and top margins of the end extensions and coacting with said extensions to provide arms disposed laterally outward of said back and seat portions of said members, a top section having integral seat, upright back, top and upright rear panels overlying said seat portions and the front, top and rear margins of the back portions of said members, and upright side panels made integral with the back panel of the top section and overlying the outer surfaces of the back portions of the endmost reinforcing members so as to be interposed between said members and the inner panels of the side sections.

3. An armchair constructed of stiff sheet material including upright angular reinforcing members having back and seat portions, upright brace elements transversely intersecting and holding the reinforcing members in spaced relationship, a front section having an upright front panel overlying the front margins of the seat portions of said reinforcing members, the brace elements and front panel having upstanding end extensions disposed externally of said members, side sections having upright inner and outer panels connected by an integral top panel and overlying the inner, outer and top margins of the extensions and coacting with said extensions to provide arms disposed laterally outward of said back and seat portions of said members, a topsection having integral seat, upright back, top and upright rear panels overlying said seat portions and the front, top and rear margins of the back portions of said members, the rear panel of the top section terminating above the lower ends of said back portions of said members, a rear section having an upright rear panel overlying the rear margins of said back portions of said members below said rear panel of said top section, and integral flaps at the adjacent margins of the rear panels of the rear and top sections transversely inter- .secting and holding said back portions of said members in spaced relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,930,173 Lauth et al Oct. 10, 1933 2,031,477 Gianninoto et al Feb. 18, 1936 2,100,979 Rowe Nov. 30, 1937 2,313,362 Rous Mar. 9, 1943 2,361,875 Sachs Oct. 31, 1944 2,393,499 Flint I an. 22, 1946 2,806,514 Smith Sept. 17, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 521,200 Canada Jan. 31, 1956 

